BOC appointed exclusive UK distributor for Anapen

Trade News

Guildford, Surrey, U.K., 12 May 2010 - BOC Healthcare has become the exclusive UK distributor for the Anapen auto-injector adrenaline (epinephrine) pen. Adrenaline is used to reverse anaphylactic shock. This can be caused by an allergic reaction to foods such as nuts and shell fish, or to a wasp or bee sting, as well as contact with materials such as natural latex.

Auto-injector pens are commonly carried by people at risk of anaphylactic shock as the adrenaline can be self-administered and is very fast acting. Adrenaline also features in emergency drugs kits frequently held by GP surgeries and dental practices to treat patients prior to the emergency services arriving on scene.

Anapen is the only adrenaline auto-injector pen on the UK market that is available in all three dosages recommended by the Resuscitation Council UK. Patients of all ages and sizes can therefore be treated effectively by this method. Anapen’s other advantages include ease of use and an extended shelf-life. The Anapen is now available in the UK exclusively from BOC, a member of The Linde Group.

John Mieszkowski, Managing Director of Lincoln Medical, the manufacturers of Anapen, said: “By working with BOC Healthcare, we are linking our market-leading product to a market-leading healthcare provider. BOC Healthcare has unparalleled experience and expertise in developing healthcare solutions and Anapen is a natural fit with their high-flow emergency oxygen delivery systems.”

Elton Chapman, Business Manager for BOC’s LIFELINE emergency resuscitation equipment, explained: “The Resuscitation Council UK specifies adrenaline and high-flow oxygen, when available, for the treatment of anaphylactic shock. That’s why Anapen fits in so well with our LIFELINE emergency oxygen kit. We provide our customers with a complete resuscitation and emergency provision package, including oxygen, defibrillators and now Anapen adrenaline pens.”

BOC is a member of The Linde Group. An industrial, medical and special gases provider, the company supplies compressed and bulk gases, chemicals and equipment. For more than a century the company's gases and expertise have contributed to advances in many areas of everyday life, and industries including steelmaking, refining, chemical processing, environmental protection, wastewater treatment, welding and cutting, food processing and distribution, glass production, electronics and health care.

The Linde Group is a world leading gases and engineering company with almost 48,000 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide. In the 2009 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 11.2 billion. The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards sustainable earnings-based growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services. Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.

Lincoln Medical Ltd is a leading innovative privately-held UK company dedicated to the development, manufacture and supply of state of the art auto-injectors containing adrenaline/epinephrine. Anaphylaxis is a life-threatening condition requiring very fast administration of adrenaline/epinephrine. Lincoln Medical makes Anapen® available through specialised distributors in 19 European countries and in Australia.